Catholic Studies

Catholic Studies

at a glance

Major icon MAJOR

When you enroll in Catholic Studies at AMU, you’ll receive our carefully crafted Liberal Arts Core with a specialization in the study of the Catholic Faith. Building upon our philosophical and theological foundation, you’ll progress to more in-depth studies of the fundamental doctrines of the Church, Scripture and morality.

Careers: Religious life, Theology Teacher, Graduate Studies

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UNITE YOUR KNOWLEDGE IN GOD

As part of our Catholic Studies program, you’ll investigate a number of major fields of study, but your primary focus will be growing an understanding of Catholic theology, dogma, morality and the impact of the Catholic Faith on broader society across the centuries.

light bulbFast Fact: The spirit of our Catholic Studies course is inspired by paragraph 20 of St. John Paul II’s Ex Corde Ecclesiae. (Which is also our school motto!)

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Skills you will gain with

A CATHOLIC STUDIES DEGREE

  1. A thorough knowledge of Scripture, with intense study in the Old and New Testaments.
  2. A deep understanding of Church Doctrine, including Doctors of the Church, Church Fathers and several major papal documents.
  3. A scriptural and doctrinal grounding in Church teaching, allowing you to use your knowledge in the workplace, your daily life, and in academia
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CAREER PATHS

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A look into the

Catholic Studies program

Gerald Boersma, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Theology

Gerald BoersmaEducation: B.A., Religious Studies, Trinity Western University; M.A., Theology, Ave Maria University; Ph.D., Theology and Religion, University of Durham
Office: Henkels 3003
Email: gerald.boersma@avemaria.edu
Phone: (239) 304-7910
Curriculum Vitae: Download

Fr. Romanus Cessario, S.T.D.

Adam Cardinal Maida Professor of Theology

Father Romanus CessarioEducation: B.A., St. Stephen’s College; M.A., St. Stephen’s College; S.T.L., Dominican House of Studies; S.T.B., Dominican House of Studies; S.T.D., University de Fribourg; S.T.M., The Order of Preachers, Santa Sabina, Rome
Email: rev.romanus.cessario@avemaria.edu
Office: Henkels 3026
Phone: (239) 304-7935

Michael Dauphinais, Ph.D.

Chair of the Theology Department, Fr. Matthew L. Lamb Professor of Catholic Theology, Professor of Theology and Humanities

Michael DauphinaisEducation: B.S., Engineering, Duke University; M.T.S., Theology, Duke Divinity School; Ph.D., Systematic Theology, University of Notre Dame
Office: Henkels 3005
Email: michael.dauphinais@avemaria.edu
Phone: (239) 280-2538
Curriculum Vitae: Download

Fr. Robert Garrity, S.T.D.

Associate Professor of Theology

Father Robert GarrityEducation: B.A., English Literature, Aurora University; M.A., Theology, Catholic University of America; S.T.L., Theology, Catholic University of America; J.C.L., Canon Law, The Catholic University of America; S.T.D., Theology, The Catholic University of America
Office: Henkels 2068
Email: robert.garrity@avemaria.edu
Phone: (239) 280-2424
Curriculum Vitae: Download

Daniel Lendman, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Theology

Daniel LendmanEducation: B.A., Liberal Arts, Thomas Aquinas College; M.A., Philosophy, Dominican School of Philosophy & Theology; S.T.M., Theology, International Theological Insitute; S.T.L., Systematic Theology, International Theological Insitute; Ph.D., Systematic Theology, Ave Maria University
Email: danielw.lendman@avemaria.edu
Office: Henkels 3029
Phone: (239) 304-7934

Steven Long, Ph.D.

Professor of Theology

Dr longEducation: B.A., Philosophy, University of Toledo; M.A., Philosophy, University of Toledo; Ph.D., Philosophy, The Catholic University of America
Office: Henkels 3007
Email: steven.long@avemaria.edu
Phone: (239) 280-1664

Fr. Guy Mansini, S.T.D.

Max Seckler Chair of Theology

mansiniEducation: B.A., Philosophy, Saint Meinrad College; M. Div., Theology, Saint Meinrad School of Theology; M.A., Religious Studies, Indiana University; M.A., Philosophy, Marquette University; S.T.D., Pontifical Gregorian University
Office: Henkels 3009
Email: fr.guy.mansini@avemaria.edu
Phone: (239) 280-2594

Mark Miravalle, S.T.L., S.T.D.

CONSTANCE SCHIFFLIN BLUM CHAIR OF MARIOLOGY

Education: B.A., Theology, University of San Francisco; S.T.L., Sacred Theology, Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas; S.T.D., Sacred Theology, Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas
Office: Canizaro Library 363
Phone: (239) 304-7902
Email: mark.miravalle@avemaria.edu

Roger Nutt, S.T.L., S.T.D.

Provost, Professor of Theology

Roger NuttEducation: B.E.S., Literature & Philosophy, St. Cloud State University; M.A., Theology & Christian Ministry, Franciscan University of Steubenville; S.T.B., Sacred Theology, Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas, S.T.L., Sacred Theology, Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas; S.T.D., Sacred Theology, Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas
Office: Henkels 3056
Email: roger.nutt@avemaria.edu
Phone: (239) 280-1603
Curriculum Vitae: Download

T. Adam Van Wart, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Theology

van wartEducation: B.S., Psychology, Texas Christian University; M.A., Counseling, Dallas Theological Seminary; Th.M., Systematic Theology Dallas Theological Seminary; M.T.S., Theology, Duke University; Ph.D., Religious Studies, Southern Methodist University
Office: Henkels 3008
Email: thomas.vanwart@avemaria.edu
Phone: (239) 304-7825
Curriculum Vitae: Download

Jeffrey Walkey, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Theology

Education: B.S., Management Purdue University; M.T.S. Theological Studies, Duke Divinity School; Ph.D. Religious Studies, Maquette University
Office: Henkels 3004
Email: jeffrey.walkey@avemaria.edu
Phone: (239) 304-7363
Curriculum Vitae: Download

In addition to the core curriculum, catholic studies majors take the following courses

Required Theology Courses from the Core Curriculum

  • THEO 105 Sacred Scripture
  • THEO 205 Sacred Doctrine
  • THEO 305 Moral Theology (instead of THEO 400 for non-majors)

Required Theology Courses

  • THEO 206 Creation and Grace
  • THEO 307 Sacraments
  • THEO 309 Christ and His Church
  • THEO 405 Triune God
  • THEO 490 Senior Seminar

Elective Courses (four required)

  • Any THEO course
  • HIST 362 The Crusades
  • HUMS 490 Thomas More
  • LATN 304 Latin Church Fathers
  • LATN 403 Scholastic Latin Texts
  • PHIL 409 John Henry Newman
  • POLT 302 Catholic Political Thought

Other courses dealing primarily with Catholic themes, texts, or issues as approved by the Theology Department Chair.

Click the button to view our typical 4-year plan.

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ON YOUR JOURNEY

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CAREER SERVICES

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Catholic Culture

The spiritual life on campus is the beating heart of Ave. Whether it’s attending Mass, receiving the sacraments, participating in retreats or getting spiritual direction, you’ll find the spiritual support you need from the priests and staff of Campus Ministry.

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CORE CURRICULUM

With AMU’s core curriculum, you’ll not only achieve breadth of knowledge, but also depth of knowledge. You’ll encounter the truth about God and His creation more completely through the dynamic interplay of all of the liberal arts, including theology and natural science.

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Sunny skies, warm temperatures, a beautiful campus. What more could you want? How about a community-like atmosphere, quality instructors who care about your success, a wealth of spiritual activities, expert career guidance… and that’s only the beginning. Imagine your future at AMU. It all starts by filling out our free application today.

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